Moroccan Inspired Las Vegas Wedding by Chelsea Nicole Photography

Posted September 12th, 2011 by Callie Rogers | 2 Comments - Post A Comment

I love when I get to show you weddings that feature a couple who have beautiful personalities to go along with their beautiful weddings! George and Monica are 100% that kind of couple. You can see it in their pictures, on their face and in their own words in the interview questions. This bright orange and pink Moroccan inspired wedding with DIVINE images from Chelsea Nicole Photography is just the thing to liven up your Monday, and kick your week happily into high gear!

Can you give us an overview of the event? George and Monica wanted a destination wedding that was outdoors, near water, warm, serene, unique and easily accessible for their guests. Their theme was “Love and Light.” The two were immediately enamored with Lotus Court at Loews Lake Las Vegas where the outdoor wedding and ceremony could take place with a backdrop of mountains and a sparkly lake, waterfalls, fire pits and a canopy of stars.

Was there a specific theme or style? They chose to reflect Loews’ Moroccan theme with warm colors and accents like lanterns, stringed beads, flowing organza fabric (IKEA draperies), and a flood of candlelight. The couple created their own iTunes playlists for the entire celebration from pre-ceremony through the last dance of the night.

What inspired the theme or style? The theme and style sort of came together on it’s own. Monica is an Ayurvedic practitioner and loves the colors and fabrics of India and when they saw Loews’ theme, it came pretty close. Loews also has wind, water, fire and earth (mountains) which includes all five elements used in Ayurvedic principles.”Love and Light” is symbolic of their relationship. They share lots of love and the light represents that they bring out the best in each other. “Here Comes The Sun” is a special song for the couple because finding each other was like being bathed by the sun after a long rain.

What were your playful twists that made the event unique? We made everyone chant “Om” three times before the ceremony. We also had incense burning in little canisters while “Here Comes The Sun” was the processional. For one reading, we had the groom’s brother and the bride’s dear friend reenact George and Monica’s initial email exchange, which sparked their first date. We passed our rings around so each guest could give them a blessing while we played “Simple” by the Lightning Seeds. We made all our own playlists and used our ipod for the entire wedding. George’s brother used a remote control to switch between playlists. Also, there were waterfalls and fireplaces – how many weddings have that?!?! Oh, we also had sparklers for our guests as we made our grand entrance to dinner & reception.

Did you DIY any of the details? We designed our own invitations. The main image on the invites was a bird riding on an elephant’s back. In Ayurveda, the bird symbolizes light and vivacious energy (like Monica) while the elephant symbolizes groundedness, kindness and patience (like George). We also created gift bags for each guest room. In the gift bags were See’s lollipops, a lara bar, and a bottle of water with a handmade label. We also created a blog for guests: www.heybrideandgroom.com

What was the most memorable moment? When Flava Flav peeked out from the bushes, congratulated us and took a photo with us. No kidding!!

Tell us about the food and desserts. The food was insane! So good. Cocktail hour included mojitos, dessert elixer, and Miller High Life (the Bride’s request) along with tray passed appetizers: tuna tartar cones with wasabi, shrimp empanadas and veggie spring rolls. A Moroccan inspired spread with steak and shrimp kababs, flatbreads and dips, a mashed potato bar, and cupcakes (lemon, chocolate, and carrot cake) instead of a wedding cake.

What kind of energy did your entertainment give the event? I was told by so many guests that this was the best wedding they had ever been too. The energy was intoxicatingly fun, sincere, magical, and full of love. Everyone felt it. It was the best party I’ve ever been too – and I walked away with the best husband in the world!

If there was one thing you could change, what would it be? I would have had someone make two huge plates of our food and take them to our room for after the wedding. I would have loved to enjoy that food again AND after dancing all night, I was starving!

Tell us how you met. Was it love at first sight, blind date, friends forever? We want to know the particulars! George and Monica, both graphic designers at the time, met in San Francisco in December 2007. Monica took a contract job and met George four months later when he returned from a leave of absence. Little did she know, she was the contractor hired to fill his position while he was away! Since their first non-date at the San Francisco MoMA in January 2008, the two have been inseparable.‬

Now for the proposal… details! In early 2010, Monica went to India for several weeks to advance her studies in Ayurveda (the sister science to yoga). The day she returned (Valentine’s Day), George proposed during a romantic nighttime picnic on the beach in Santa Monica, California. He presented the ring in a Jo Malone candle box, the same
box Monica gave to George on Valentine’s Day two years earlier! ‬

Describe your wedding in one-two sentences so that someone who didn’t attend can envision it. It was a warm outdoor evening on a lake with mountains as a backdrop where waterfalls and firepits adorned the party space. Shimmery beads, delicate fabrics, incense, and candlelight enhanced the fun, the magic, and the sheer love that was spread by all.

We want to know about all the wedding details. Was it small and intimate or big and traditonal? It was 60 people, close family and friends. Everyone was from out of town, so we decided on Vegas as a place that people could easily (and affordably) get to. We were married at Loews Lake Las Vegas where some guests stayed. Other guests stayed at the Monte Carlo and we shuttled them out to the wedding. It was lovely and small so this way we were able to spend time with the guests. We also had a pool party the next day to continue the festivities and time spent together. Loews catered the Moroccan cuisine and created tantalizing lemon, chocolate, and carrot cake tiered cupcakes in lieu of wedding cake. Flowers and decor were provided by Enchanted Florist. Photography by Chelsea Nicole.

Tell us about your wedding gown and what your wedding party wore. Monica wore a simple, flowing, empire waist gown, part of the Alfred
Angelo Sapphire 2011 Collection. She found beaded silver shoes for $25 at an Indian bazaar in Santa Barbara and wore TOMS silver slip-ons for
the reception. Her chandelier earrings were purchased on Etsy, her silver bangles were a birthday gift from her mother the night before
the wedding. We did not have a wedding party. I had “mon petit ami” (my dear friend Erika) who was with me the entire day to help me get ready and to ease my nerves.
George wore a gray Ben Sherman suit with a DKNY tie and pewter elephant cufflinks he found on Etsy. His tuxedo shirt, a treasure from his closet, was a purchase from Banana Republic and he wore black Sandro shoes.

What was the best wedding advice you received? Our friends recommended that we take a few minutes after the ceremony and before cocktail hour, to take some time together, as new husband and wife. We went into the bridal room with a cocktail for a moment to just sit together and toast our new marriage. We feel this was so important. Marriage was the reason for the party and we didn’t want to lose sight of that.

What were the honeymoon plans? We went to Hawaii! The company Monica works for has a house in Hawaii. A year prior to the wedding, employees had to put in a request to use the house for the upcoming year, so Monica requested a week in October to use the house. (note: they were not engaged yet) This is actually what drove the wedding date. Sometimes life isn’t linear! :)